Federico Faggin
Italian physicist who designed the first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 4004
- Age
- 84 yrs
- Birthday in 26 days
- Works listed
- 3
- Microprocessor, Book
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 2009
- Profile views
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Federico Faggin is an Italian-American physicist and engineer who led the design of the Intel 4004 in 1971, the first commercial microprocessor. He developed the silicon-gate technology that made it possible, co-founded Zilog, maker of the Z80 chip, and co-founded Synaptics, which made touchpads.
Biography
Background
Faggin built computers at Olivetti as a teenager and graduated in physics from the University of Padua in 1965. He moved to Fairchild Semiconductor in California in 1968, where he developed silicon-gate MOS technology, which made chips faster and denser.
The 4004
At Intel in 1970 he led the design of the 4004 for the Japanese calculator company Busicom, working with Masatoshi Shima. Released in November 1971, it put a complete processor on one chip. He also led the 8008 and 8080 designs and signed his initials, “FF”, on the 4004.
Zilog
In 1974 he co-founded Zilog, whose Z80 processor powered many home computers of the late 1970s and 1980s and is still made today.
Synaptics and consciousness
In 1986 he co-founded Synaptics, which developed laptop touchpads and touchscreens. In later life he founded the Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation and writes about consciousness. He received the US National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2009.
Timeline
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1941
Born in Vicenza, Italy
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1965
Physics degree from the University of Padua
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1968
Silicon-gate technology at Fairchild
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1970
Joins Intel
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1971
Intel 4004 released
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1974
Co-founds Zilog
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1976
Zilog Z80
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1986
Co-founds Synaptics
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2009
National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Notable works
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1971
Intel 4004 Microprocessor
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1976
Zilog Z80 Microprocessor
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2022
Irreducible Book
Awards and honours
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Marconi Prize
1988
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Kyoto Prize
1997
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National Medal of Technology and Innovation
2009
Did you know?
-
1
He etched his initials on the 4004 chip.
-
2
The Z80 powered home computers such as the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
-
3
He shares the 1997 Kyoto Prize with Ted Hoff, Stanley Mazor and Masatoshi Shima.
Connections
Also born on 1 December
Frequently asked
Who is Federico Faggin?
Federico Faggin is an Italian-American physicist and engineer who led the design of the Intel 4004 in 1971, the first commercial microprocessor. He developed the silicon-gate technology that made it possible, co-founded Zilog, maker of the Z80 chip, and co-founded Synaptics, which made touchpads.
How old is Federico Faggin?
Federico Faggin is 84 years old, born on 1 December 1941 in Vicenza, Italy.
Where is Federico Faggin from?
Federico Faggin was born in Vicenza, Italy.
What is Federico Faggin known for?
Federico Faggin is best known for Intel 4004; silicon-gate technology; Zilog Z80; Synaptics touchpads.
What awards has Federico Faggin received?
Notable honours include Marconi Prize (1988), Kyoto Prize (1997), National Medal of Technology and Innovation (2009).
References
- Federico Faggin — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Federico Faggin (Q667095) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Federico Faggin”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Federico Faggin.” TrackFame, last updated 4 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/federico-faggin
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